
Improving Gut Health Naturally
Are you wondering ? Check out this helpful guide on recognizing common signs of gut issues and how to improve them.
When is the last time you thought about the of your gut? Was it the last time you came down with the stomach flu or felt bloated and uncomfortable after eating a meal? The truth is, most of us don't give our digestive systems a second thought until something goes wrong.
But we should ideally be thinking about our taking (such as the found in and how to improve it daily. When we're conscientious about our digestive systems, we're more likely to make wise choices. Eating nourishing, healthy foods will help nurture our "good" while making it difficult for to grow inside us. We can also boost by Hersmoothie) that help support a .
If you're not sure whether your . is OK or if it needs a little work, keep reading. You'll find tips to help you analyze the current of your and advice for
Why Does Matter?
It is very common these days to live with symptoms of an . One of the biggest reasons for issues is the processed foods we tend to eat. Heavily processed foods and sugary foods are terrible for the because they feed the wrong types of bacteria.
When we have a imbalance, we're more likely to suffer from bloating, abdominal pain, , and other gut issues. But there's a twist to the plot because an imbalanced doesn't just cause . It can also impact our .
According to research and studies, play an important role in our by aiding in digestion and absorption of nutrients, synthesizing vitamin K, and promoting enteric nerve function. There is also a clear link between and the brain. The enteric nervous system is sometimes called the body's "second brain." It's a system of nerve cells that line the from the esophagus all the way down to the rectum.
The enteric nervous system is responsible for controlling digestion, aiding with nutrient absorption, and helping the body eliminate waste products. Surprisingly, scientists have discovered that the enteric nervous system communicates with the brain and can even control mood changes.
For example, people with the may be more prone to depression and anxiety triggered by the enteric nervous system. This finding could explain why people with IBS and other issues associated with experience mood disorders at a higher rate than people with a . , , or other problems with
Even more alarming than the /mood disorder link is the fact that and heart are also closely connected. People with poor are properly balanced and not overrun with . are at a higher risk of and stroke. For those of us with a family history of heart problems, it's especially important to make sure our
How Does a Function?
A is a beautiful thing. It contains and immune cells that work hard to keep , viruses, and other unwanted intruders at bay. A also communicates efficiently with the brain through hormones and nerves to help maintain a general sense of well-being and good energy.
Optimal the and throughout the body. It also helps boost the . If you have , you're less likely to experience discomfort after eating . You're also more likely to be "regular" in your bowel habits. is good for reducing in
People who have a are also more likely to feel healthy and energetic most of the time. This is because helps determine and wellness.
What Are the Effects of ?
can happen to the best of us. It's pretty uncomfortable and can lead to (which is a fancy term for an imbalance of in our gut). Here are some common signs of an :
- Frequent stomach disturbances (such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, and heartburn)
- Unexplained weight changes (both unintentional weight loss and weight gain can be a sign of )
- intolerances
- Chronic lethargy or fatigue
- Painful bowel movements
- Acne and other skin problems
- Mood swings and irritability
- Sore and achy joints
- Bloated belly
- Thyroid problems
- Water retention
These are all telltale signs that our when necessary. is suffering. Fortunately, we can focus on and restoration of by committing to habits and by taking
If we don't pay attention to our gut's distress signals, we could end up experiencing a variety of unpleasant ailments. Chronic intestinal is known to contribute to chronic disease. Here are 13 potential consequences of living with intestinal for too long:
- Arthritis
- Autoimmune diseases
- GI disorders such as IBS and IBD
- Diverticulitis (irritation of the intestine walls)
- Colorectal cancer
- Allergies
- Cardiovascular disease
- Neurodegenerative disease (such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease)
- Anxiety and depression
- Osteoporosis
- Neurodevelopmental disorders (such as autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder)
- Metabolic syndrome and obesity
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
None of those sound very fun. Of course, there is no guarantee that you'll develop any of these conditions if you have insufficient in your gut. But your risk of experiencing these issues is higher when you have chronic and bacteria imbalance.
What Causes an Inflamed Gut?
There are many potential causes of . Here are some of the most common:
- Ultra-processed foods: These types of foods are very popular and include everything from crackers to cookies with loads of . Processed foods are often full of additives such as artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, polysorbate-80, and countless other additives that can increase intestinal permeability. What this means for you is that consuming ultra-processed foods can eventually lead to a condition called leaky gut. Yes, it's just as unpleasant as it sounds and is marked by excess .
- Stress: Stress is often called the silent killer (and for good reason). Stress is very harmful to physical and mental . It can also contribute to and make the an inhospitable place for . A little bit of stress here and there probably won't ruin your , but watch out for chronic stress and its tendency to kill off good .
- Gut infections: Some fungal, parasitic, bacterial, and viral gut infections can alter the your ). poisoning can also trigger massive and can lead to . composition in unwanted ways. One example of this is the influenza A virus, which can increase the body's susceptibility to Salmonella pathogens (which can, in turn, wreak havoc on
- Overtraining or sedentary lifestyles: Though they're on opposite ends of the activity spectrum, overtraining and sedentary lifestyles can both lead to . Moderate exercise is ideal because it can boost the in the gut and inhibit . Overtraining, on the other hand, increases . Sedentary lifestyles are also associated with increased . Try to keep your activity level somewhere in the middle and you'll be in good shape.
- Industrial seed oils: Industrial sed oils such as those extracted from cottonseed, soybeans, corn, safflower seeds, and rapeseed can induce . This is because they have a high omega-6 fatty acid content. While omega-3 fatty acids are good for the body and can lower , the same is not true of their omega-6 counterparts. Omega-6 fatty acids can easily become damaged by heat, which means they become inflammatory when they're processed and cooked.
- Antibiotics: They can be literal lifesavers, but antibiotics don't come without their drawbacks. These days, it's argued that antibiotics are prescribed too frequently and are damaging peoples' . Antibiotics work by killing that cause illnesses. Unfortunately, antibiotics also kill . If you take them too frequently, you could end up with and heavily imbalanced .
- Insufficient sleep: Have you ever noticed how your stomach seems to be a little more sensitive when you've gotten less sleep than your body needs? This is because sleep deprivation changes the and encourages the growth of pro-inflammatory species of bacteria. Just two nights of insufficient sleep can increase and discomfort.
- Environmental toxins: Toxins are all around us, and there's no way we can escape them. Environmental toxins include things like glyphosate from popular herbicides, triclosan from some personal care products and hand sanitizers, bisphenol A (also known as BPA), and alternative plasticizers. These toxins can all impact our and can cause in our gut.
That's a pretty hefty list of potential triggers. Some of these things can be avoided by eating healthy foods and staying away from products with excess and other unnecessary additives.
Other things (such as environmental toxins and gut infections) may not be avoidable. The good news is that you can work to heal your gut and boost by eating more and taking a . Let's talk about how to improve your naturally using these methods and others.
How Can I Improve My Naturally?
The first step to improving is recognizing when you have a problem. It looks like you've already taken that step, so congratulations! Improving may seem like a monumental task, but it's not too difficult when you break it down into actionable steps. Here are a few suggestions for boosting desirable in your gut and getting rid of unwanted types.
Step 1: Change Your Diet
The most important thing you can do to improve naturally is to analyze your diet and get rid of highly processed foods. Aim to eat whole, unprocessed foods as often as possible. This will require you to spend more time shopping on the outskirts of the grocery store (where the produce and meat departments are usually located) and spend less time in the middle of the grocery store (where most highly processed foods are located).
It's also smart to add fermented foods to your daily diet. These foods contain that can help restore proper gut balance. Some good fermented foods include:
- Plain yogurt
- Kombucha (with no added)
- Miso (the refrigerated type)
- Fermented vegetables
- Sauerkraut
- Pickles (the kind made with salt instead of vinegar)
- Kimchi
- Kefir
- Tempeh
- Aged cheeses with live cultures
- Other probiotic drinks with no
Some of these foods can be hard on your stomach if you aren't used to them and if you don't have sufficient to break them down properly. For this reason, it's best to start with a small amount (such as a teaspoon of sauerkraut with your dinner). Over time you can work your way up to larger amounts of fermented foods that will help keep your healthy and diverse.
Step 2: Drink More Water
Did you know as many as 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated? You could easily be one of them. Every cell in your body requires water to function optimally, but your is particularly reliant on sufficient water to digest properly. Sufficient water is also required for keeping the in your gut properly balanced.
There are so many different recommendations for how much water you should drink based on your height, weight, and even your gender. To avoid confusion, a good rule of thumb is to drink enough water that your urine runs clear and doesn't have a pungent smell.
Step 3: Get Enough Sleep at Night
Your gut needs quality sleep to stay healthy. Chronic lack of sleep can impact your and your negatively. If you're trying to restore your , aim to get at least seven hours of sleep every single night.
Step 4: Reduce Your Stress Levels
Once you get your eating, drinking, and sleeping habits under control, it's time to reduce your stress levels. Chronic stress is terrible for your as well as your . There are several different ways you can reduce your stress levels. Try going for a relaxing walk every day, spending more time with people you love, and getting regular massages. Meditation is also a great way to minimize stress in your life.
What Foods Are Good for Your Gut?
There are a lot of foods that are good for the gut. They include:
- Blueberries and other berries
- Lentils
- Chicory root
- Certain nuts (such as pistachios and almonds)
- Kale and other leafy greens
- Seaweed
- Onions
- Oats
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Fish liver oil
- Salmon
- Eggs
- Mushrooms
- Tuna
The above list is not all-inclusive, but it gives you a good idea of the types of foods you should eat to heal your gut. If you take a look at the above list, you'll notice it doesn't contain any processed or sugary foods. Instead, it's full of natural, whole foods that Mother Earth prepared for our benefit.
It's also important to eat prebiotic foods for optimal . are foods that contain dietary fiber. The in your gut feed off dietary fiber, so they need to thrive. Many of the foods listed above are also considered due to their dietary fiber content. Eat them regularly to give the in your gut a nice snack.
Herbs for
There are different herbs that can support a healthy . Here are some of the most effective types of herbs for :
- Licorice root
- Slippery elm
- Triphala
Licorice root coats the gut's membrane lining and acts as a protective barrier. Slippery elm helps heal the gut's mucous membranes and improve bowel movements. Finally, Triphala is one of the best herbs to help heal leaky gut. It's an herbal blend of haritaki, amla, and bibhitaki.
What Do Do for Your Gut?
We've talked a lot about how important are for your gut, but we haven't discussed why they're important. What exactly do they do for your gut? Their main job is to keep your body and gut balanced. When enter your body and multiply, they make you sick and harm your body's balance.
mental . can also reduce certain conditions related to , including allergies, eczema, digestive disorders, and weight gain. In short, work to improve the of your whole body by balancing the bacteria in your gut. can help your fight off . They also contribute to your sense of well-being by boosting your , which in turn boosts your
How Can Hersmoothie Help Improve My ?
Hersmoothie is a delicious and effective probiotic powder that contains both and reduce yeast, parasites, and unwanted . and in each easy-to-use packet. Take it regularly to promote
Want to learn more about how you can improve your and ? You can find a wealth of information at Mixhers resources.

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